Guangzhou

Guangzhou

Westerners was once knew it as Canton. Guangzhou is the third largest city in China and the busiest transport and trade center. Its mix of high towers and leafy alleys, as well as its strategic port history has given the city a colonial background and a cosmopolitan feel.
The Canton Fair, or also known as the China Import and Export Fair, takes place in Guangzhou. It is the biggest trade fair in China, and thousands of visitors from all over the world gather twice a year in the city.

SAFETY INDEX

See others cities in China

Warnings & Dangers

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM

Guangzhou is quite safe and a non-violent city. Travelers are often victims of petty crime, but this can be prevented by taking precautions.

PICKPOCKETS RISK : N/A

Pickpockets and purse snatching are common in crowded places. We advise that you keep an eye on your belonging when you find yourself in busy and crowded areas.

MUGGING RISK : N/A

Mugging and kidnapping against foreigners are extremely rare.

SCAMS RISK : N/A

Counterfeit currency is a significant problem in Guangzhou. Always try to carry small bills or to use exact change.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : N/A

Be cautious when taking a taxi, especially at airports. Avoid unlicensed taxis, insist that the taxi driver use his/her meter, request a receipt, and ask your driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi and before you pay.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : N/A

Typhoons are common in summer and autumn.

TERRORISM RISK : N/A

Likely but the probabilities are low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : N/A

Guangzhou is a safe place to travel for female travellers, but it is always good to exercise precautions like you would in any other country.

Carte

WHAT TO DO?

Tianhe District

This modern and trendy district has become quite popular due to its 5-star hotels, great restaurants, and many businesses. Although it may look like a residential area and a business district, at night, Tianhe comes alive, and it’s a nice area to walk around and see the multi-coloured lights.

Yuexiu District

Although most businesses have moved to Tianhe, there are still many good places worth visiting in this area. Not only it’s a good district for cosy cafés and restaurants, it also feels and looks more cosmopolitan than Tianhe thanks to the different cultures that gather here.

Haizhu District

Haizhu is often overlooked, but here you can see a mix of new and old buildings. It is a quiet area north of the river. There are many cafés and restaurants that offer a great view of the river. Walk around and take in the beautiful Cantonese architecture; get lost and explore the many hidden alleyways.

Useful Information

There are no specific difficulties for travellers entering China. The main requirements are a passport that’s valid for six months after the expiry date of your visa, and a visa.
Citizens from 51 nations (including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Brazil and the UK) can stay in Beijing for 72 hours without a visa as long as it is a layover, they are traveling outside of China, have a third-country visa, and an air ticket out of Beijing. Similarly, travellers from the 51 nations can stay 144 hours in Shanghai, Nanjing or Gangzhou without a visa.
For more information about the Chinese visa, please visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website.
Hong Kong and Macau have a separate visa and entry administration. See entry requirements for Hong Kong here and here for Macau.

China’s currency is called “yuan” or renminbi (RMB, “the people’s money”). Denominations of bills: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 yuan. There are ATMs in big cities and towns. China is still a cash culture, so do not rely on your credit card.

The rainy season typically begins in February and ends in September. July and August are the hottest months of the year; some provinces have reported heat alerts. The typhoon season in China is usually from May to November affecting the southern and eastern coasts.

China’s major airports are Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Xian Xianyang International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.
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